“Among women, teachers and business professionals had low mortality, and factory workers and garment trade workers had high rates.

“Mortality rates have generally fallen, but have stagnated or even increased among women in some occupations, such as cleaners - 337 deaths per 100,000 person years - in 1991 rising to 426 deaths per 100,000 person years in 2001.”

The study published in The Lancet Public Health also found men who were health professionals - medical doctors, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, opticians and vets - had the lowest mortality rates.

Among women, teachers and business professionals had the lowest mortality.

However the highest mortality rates overall occurred in men who reported no occupation.

The study was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), The Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office (CSO) and Wellcome.